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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever the Prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or “Oxford Lane Capital,” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, you will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as an investor in Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above, and that we pay the transaction expenses set forth in the table above, including a sales load of 2.00% paid by you (the commission to be paid by us with respect to common stock sold by us in this offering).

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5.0% annual return, would either not be payable or would have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is included in the example. Also, while the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value, participants in our distribution reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the distribution payment date, which may be at, above or below net asset value. See “Distribution Reinvestment Plan” in the Prospectus for additional information regarding our distribution reinvestment plan.

(1)

Represents the commission with respect to the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering, which we will pay to Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. in connection with sales of shares of our common stock effected by Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. under the equity distribution agreement. There is no guaranty that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the Prospectus.

(2)

The offering expenses of this offering are estimated to be approximately $185,000.

(3)

The expenses of the distribution reinvestment plan are included in “other expenses.”

(4)

Assumes gross assets of $427.1 million and $140.9 million of leverage (which reflects $140.9 million of preferred stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017), and assumes net assets of $282.0 million (which has been adjusted to reflect the issuance of an additional $50.0 million of common stock). The above calculation presents our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets. Our base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, however, is based on our gross assets, which

 

 

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is defined as all the assets of Oxford Lane Capital, including those acquired using borrowings for investment purposes. As a result, to the extent we use additional leverage, it would have the effect of increasing our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets. See “Investment Advisory Agreement” in the Prospectus for additional information.

(5)

Amount reflects the estimated annual incentive fees payable to our investment adviser, Oxford Lane Management, during the fiscal year following this offering. The estimate assumes that the incentive fee earned will be proportional to the fee earned during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017. Based on our current business plan, we anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be invested within three months depending on the availability of investment opportunities that are consistent with our investment objective and other market conditions. We expect that it will take approximately one to three months to invest all of the proceeds of this offering, in part because equity and junior debt investments in CLO vehicles require substantial due diligence prior to investment.

The incentive fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20.0% of the excess, if any, of our “Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income” that exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7.0% annualized) hurdle rate, which we refer to as the Hurdle, subject to a “catch-up” provision measured at the end of each calendar quarter. The incentive fee is computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. The operation of the incentive fee for each quarter is as follows:

•

no incentive fee is payable to our investment adviser in any calendar quarter in which our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the Hurdle of 1.75%;

•

100% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the Hurdle but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser. We refer to this portion of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the Hurdle but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20.0% of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as if a Hurdle did not apply when our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and

•

20.0% of the amount of our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to our investment adviser (once the Hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20.0% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Investment Income thereafter is allocated to our investment adviser).

No incentive fee is payable to our investment adviser on realized capital gains. For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “Investment Advisory Agreement” in the Prospectus.

(6)

Assumes that we maintain our current level of no outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2017 other than preferred stock, which is considered a form of leverage. We may issue additional shares of preferred stock pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. In the event we were to issue additional preferred stock, our borrowing costs, and correspondingly our total annual expenses, including our base management fee as a percentage of our net assets, would increase. See also note 7 below.

(7)

Assumes that we continue to have an aggregate of $90.4 million of preferred stock with a preferred rate of 7.50% per annum, and an aggregate of $50.5 million of preferred stock with a preferred rate of 8.125% per annum, which were the amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2017.

(8)

“Other expenses” ($2.2 million) assumes that other expenses for the year will be proportional to other expenses incurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.

(9)

“Total annual expenses” is presented as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stockholders, because the holders of shares of our common stock (and not the holders of our preferred stock or debt securities, if any) bear all of our fees and expenses, all of which are included in this fee table presentation. The indirect expenses associated with the Company’s CLO equity investments are not included in the fee table presentation, but if such expenses were included in the fee table presentation then the Company’s total annual expenses would have been 27.28%.

 

 

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SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of each fiscal year since our formation. The information as of March 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from our financial statements that have been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of our independent registered public accounting firm covering the total amount of senior securities outstanding as of March 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are attached as exhibits to the registration statement.

(1)

Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented.

(2)

Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share.

(3)

The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it.

(4)

The Average Market Value Per Unit is calculated by taking the daily average closing price of the security for the respective period and dividing it by $25 per share to determine a unit price per share consistent with Asset Coverage Per Unit.

(5)

On July 24, 2015, we redeemed all issued and outstanding Series 2017 Term Preferred Shares at the term redemption price.

 

 

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ANNUAL REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS

On May 18, 2017, the Company filed its Annual Report to stockholders for the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. The text of the Annual Report is attached hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Third Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this Third Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus.

 

 

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Oxford Lane Capital Corp.  
 
 
 
 

Annual Report
 
 
 
 
 

March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 

oxfordlanecapital.com

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
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Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

May 18, 2017

To Our Shareholders:

We are pleased to submit to you the report of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. (“we”, “us”, “our”, the “Fund” or “Oxford Lane”) for the year ended March 31, 2017. The net asset value of our shares at that date was $10.20 per common share. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and its share price can differ from its net asset value. The Fund’s closing price at March 31, 2017 was $11.13, up from $8.45 at March 31, 2016. The total return for Oxford Lane, for the year ended March 31, 2017, as reflected in the Fund’s financial highlights, was 66.38%. This return reflects the change in market price for the period, as well as the positive impact of $2.40 per share in distributions declared and paid. On May 17, 2017, the last reported sale price of the Fund’s common stock was $10.99.

We draw your attention to our distribution policy, which has been discussed in earlier reports, as we believe that the Fund’s position deserves close attention. Oxford Lane’s distribution policy is primarily based upon its estimates of the ultimate taxable earnings for each respective period, which are based upon the estimated cash flows for each investment. The final taxable amounts cannot be known until the tax return is filed, but the Fund’s experience has been that cash flows have historically represented a reasonable estimate of taxable earnings; however, we can offer no assurance that will be the case in the future, particularly during periods of market disruption and volatility. There may be significant differences between Oxford Lane’s earnings prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and our taxable earnings, particularly related to collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) equity investments where our taxable earnings are based upon the distributable share of earnings as determined under tax regulations for each CLO equity investment, while GAAP earnings are based upon an effective yield calculation. While reportable GAAP revenue from our CLO equity investments for the year ended March 31, 2017 was approximately $55.7 million, we received or were entitled to receive approximately $79.7 million in distributions.

Investment Review

The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize its portfolio’s risk adjusted total return over its investment horizon. Our current focus is to seek that return by investing in structured finance investments, specifically CLO vehicles⁽¹⁾, which primarily own senior secured corporate loans. Our investment strategy also includes investing in warehouse facilities, which are financing structures intended to aggregate senior secured corporate loans that may be used to form the basis of a CLO vehicle. As of March 31, 2017, we held debt investments in 3 different CLO structures and equity investments in approximately 50 different CLO structures and one investment in a warehouse facility. We may also invest, on an opportunistic basis, in corporate debt securities on a direct basis and in a variety of other corporate credits.

Structurally, CLO vehicles are entities formed to purchase and manage portfolios of primarily senior secured corporate loans. The loans within a CLO vehicle are limited to those which, on an aggregated basis, meet established credit criteria. They are subject to concentration limitations in order to limit a CLO vehicle’s exposure to individual credits and industries. The CLO vehicles on which the Fund focuses are collateralized primarily by senior secured corporate loans, and generally have minimal or no exposure to real estate loans, mortgage loans or to pools of consumer-based debt, such as credit card receivables or auto loans.

 

 

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Investment Outlook

We believe that the market for CLO-related assets continues to provide us with opportunities to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns within our strategies over the long term. We believe that a number of factors support this conclusion, including:

—

The long-term and relatively low-cost capital that many CLO vehicles have secured, compared with current asset spreads and associated LIBOR floors, have created opportunities to purchase certain CLO equity and junior debt instruments that may produce attractive risk-adjusted returns. Additionally, given that the CLO vehicles we invest in are cash flow-based vehicles, this term financing may be extremely beneficial in periods of market volatility.

—

The market to invest in warehouse facilities, which are short and medium-term facilities that are generally expected to form the basis of CLO vehicles (which the Fund may participate in or be repaid by), has created additional attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities for us.

—

Investing in CLO securities, and CLO equity instruments and warehouse facilities in particular, requires a high level of research and analysis. We believe that transactions in this market can only be adequately conducted by knowledgeable market participants as this market and these structures tend to be highly specialized.

—

The U.S. risk retention requirements imposed for CLO managers under Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has created some uncertainty in the market in regards to future CLO issuances. Given that certain CLO managers may require capital provider partners to satisfy this requirement, we believe that this may create additional opportunities (and additional risks) for us in the future.

—

The U.S. CLO market is relatively large with total assets under management of approximately $450 billion.(2) We estimate that the amount outstanding of the junior-most debt tranches (specifically the tranches originally rated “BB” and “B”) and equity tranches together are approximately $70 billion.(3)

An investment in our Fund carries with it a significant number of meaningful risks, certain of which are discussed in the notes to our financial statements. Investors should read “Note 12. Risks and Uncertainties” carefully.

We continue to review a large number of CLO investment opportunities in the current market environment, and we expect that the majority of our portfolio holdings, over the near to intermediate-term, will continue to be comprised of CLO debt and equity securities, with the more significant focus over the near-term likely to be on CLO equity securities and warehouse facilities.

Jonathan H. Cohen
Chief Executive Officer

1.

A CLO vehicle is formed by raising various classes or “tranches” of debt (with the most senior tranches being rated “AAA” to the most junior tranches typically being rated “BB” or “B”) and equity. The tranches of CLO vehicles rated “BB” or “B” may be referred to as “junk.” The equity of a CLO vehicle is generally required to absorb the CLO’s losses before any of the CLO’s other tranches, yet it also has the lowest level of payment priority among the CLO’s tranches; therefore, the equity is typically the riskiest of CLO investments which, if it were rated, may also be referred to as “junk.”

2.

As of March 8, 2017 – Source LCD, an offering of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

3.

Oxford Lane has estimated this amount based in part on the LCD report (noted in footnote 1 above), dated March 8, 2017.

  

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
TOP TEN HOLDINGS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2017

Portfolio Investment Breakdown
(Excludes cash and other assets)

FAIR VALUE BY ASSET TYPE

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

(Continued on next page)

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)
MARCH 31, 2017

(Continued on next page)

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)
MARCH 31, 2017

(1)

We do not “control” and are not an “affiliate” of any of our portfolio companies, each as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). In general, under the 1940 Act, we would be presumed to “control” a portfolio company if we owned 25% or more of its voting securities and would be an “affiliate” of a portfolio company if we owned 5% or more of its voting securities.

(2)

Fair value is determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Fund.

(3)

Notes bear interest at variable rates.

(4)

Cost value reflects accretion of original issue discount or market discount.

(5)

Cost value reflects accretion of effective yield less any cash distributions received or entitled to be received from CLO equity investments.

(Continued on next page)

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)
MARCH 31, 2017

(6)

The principal balance outstanding for this debt investment, in whole or in part, is indexed to a three-month LIBOR which resets quarterly. For each CLO debt investment, the rate provided is as of March 31, 2017.

(7)

The CLO subordinated notes and income notes are considered equity positions in the CLO funds. Equity investments are entitled to recurring distributions which are generally equal to the remaining cash flow of the payments made by the underlying fund's securities less contractual payments to debt holders and fund expenses. The estimated yield indicated is based upon a current projection of the amount and timing of these recurring distributions and the estimated amount of repayment of principal upon termination. Such projections are periodically reviewed and adjusted, and the estimated yield may not ultimately be realized.

(8)

Fair value represents discounted cash flows associated with fees earned from CLO equity investments.

(9)

Investment has not made its inaugural distribution for the relevant period end. See “Note 2. Summary of Significnt Accounting Policies — Investment Income Recognition.”

(10)

The subordinated shares represent an investment in a warehouse facility, which is a financing structure intended to aggregate loans that may be used to form the basis of a CLO vehicle.

(11)

The CLO was optionally redeemed during the year ended March 31, 2017. See “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Securities Transactions.”

(12)

Represents cash equivalents held in a money market account as of March 31, 2017.

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 
 
See Accompanying Notes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION

Oxford Lane Capital Corp. (“OXLC,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Fund”) was incorporated under the General Corporation Laws of the State of Maryland on June 9, 2010. The Fund is a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). In addition, the Fund has elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Fund’s investment objective is to maximize its portfolio’s risk adjusted total return, and it currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in structured finance investments, specifically collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles, which primarily own senior corporate debt securities.

OXLC’s investment activities are managed by Oxford Lane Management, LLC (“OXLC Management”), a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. BDC Partners, LLC (“BDC Partners”), a related party, is the managing member of OXLC Management and serves as the administrator of OXLC.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), include the accounts of the Fund. The Fund follows the accounting and reporting requirements of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Financial Services — Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), for reporting on Form N-CSR and the Fund maintains its accounting records in U.S. dollars.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The presentation of the financial statements is in conformity with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and cash held in a money market fund which contain investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Fund places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in bank accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured limit. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 assets and are included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost or amortized cost which approximates fair value.

INVESTMENT VALUATION

The Fund determines fair value of its investment portfolio in accordance with the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure. A significant estimate made in the preparation of OXLC’s financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. OXLC believes that there is no single definitive method for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments OXLC makes.

ASC 820-10 clarifies the definition of fair value and requires companies to expand their disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial recognition. ASC 820-10 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820-10 also establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2,

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION  – (continued)

which includes inputs such as quoted prices for similar securities in active markets and quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. OXLC considers the attributes of current market conditions on an on-going basis and has determined that due to the general illiquidity of the market for its investment portfolio, whereby little or no market data exists, all of OXLC’s investments are valued based upon “Level 3” inputs as of March 31, 2017.

Collateralized Loan Obligations — Debt and Equity

OXLC has acquired debt and equity positions in CLO investment vehicles and has purchased CLO warehouse facilities. These investments are special purpose financing vehicles. In valuing such investments, OXLC considers the indicative prices provided by a recognized industry pricing service as a primary source, and the implied yield of such prices, supplemented by actual trades executed in the market at or around period-end, as well as the indicative prices provided by the broker who arranges transactions in such investment vehicles. OXLC also considers those instances in which the record date for an equity distribution payment falls on the last day of the period, and the likelihood that a prospective purchaser would require a downward adjustment to the indicative price representing substantially all of the pending distribution. Additional factors include any available information on other relevant transactions, including firm bids and offers in the market and information resulting from bids-wanted-in-competition. In addition, OXLC considers the operating metrics of the specific investment vehicle, including compliance with collateralization tests, defaulted and restructured securities, and payment defaults, if any. OXLC Management or the Fund’s board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) may request an additional analysis by a third-party firm to assist in the valuation process of CLO investment vehicles. All information is presented to the Board of Directors for its determination of fair value of these investments.

SHARE REPURCHASES

From time to time, the Board of Directors may authorize a share repurchase program under which shares of the Fund’s common stock are purchased in open market transactions. Since the Fund is incorporated in the State of Maryland, state law requires share repurchases to be accounted for as a share retirement. The cost of repurchased shares is charged against capital on the settlement date. There were no share repurchases of the Fund’s common stock for the year ended March 31, 2017.

PREFERRED STOCK

The Fund carries its mandatorily redeemable preferred stock at accreted cost on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and not fair value. Refer to “Note 7. Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock” for further details.

PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS

Prepaid expenses consist primarily of insurance costs and listing fees.

INVESTMENT INCOME

Income from securitization vehicles and investments

Income from securitization vehicles and equity investments in the equity class securities of CLO vehicles (typically income notes or subordinated notes) is recorded using the effective interest method in accordance with the provisions of ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, based upon a calculation of the effective yield to the expected redemption date based on an estimate of future cash flows, including those CLO equity investments that have not made their inaugural distribution for the relevant period end. The Fund monitors the expected residual payments, and the effective yield is determined and updated

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION  – (continued)

quarterly, as needed. Accordingly, investment income recognized on CLO equity securities in the GAAP statement of operations differs from both the tax-basis investment income and from the cash distributions actually received by the Fund during the period.

The Fund also records income on its investments in CLO warehouse facilities based on a stated rate as per the underlying note purchase agreement or, if there is no stated rate, then an estimated rate is calculated using a base case model projecting the timing of the ramp-up of the CLO warehouse facility.

Interest Income — Debt Investments

Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis using the contractual rate applicable to each debt investment and includes the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on securities purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any.

Generally, if the Fund does not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, the Fund will, on a discretionary basis, place the debt instrument on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The Fund generally restores non-accrual loans to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in the Fund’s judgment, the payments are likely to remain current. As of March 31, 2017, the Fund had no non-accrual investments in its portfolio.

Other Income

Other income includes distributions from fee letters and success fees associated with portfolio investments. Distributions from CLO equity fee letter investments are an enhancement to the return on a CLO equity investment, are based upon a percentage of the collateral manager’s fees, and are recorded as other income when earned. The Fund may also earn success fees associated with its investments in CLO warehouse facilities, which are contingent upon a take-out of the warehouse by a permanent CLO structure; such fees are earned and recognized when the take-out is completed.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

The Fund intends to operate so as to continue to qualify to be taxed as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the U.S. Tax Code (the “Code”) and, as such, to not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders. To qualify for RIC tax treatment, OXLC is required to distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code.

Because U.S. federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statement to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION  – (continued)

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained, assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions expected to be taken in the Fund’s 2017 tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S Federal and Connecticut State. The Fund is not aware of any tax position for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.

Distributions

Our distribution policy is based upon our estimate of our distributable net investment income, which includes actual distributions from our CLO equity class investments, with further consideration given to our realized gains or losses on a taxable basis. Distributions from net investment income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which differ from GAAP. Distributions from net investment income, if any, are expected to be declared and paid quarterly. Net realized capital gains, unless offset by any available capital loss carry-forward, are typically distributed to shareholders annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are automatically reinvested in full and fractional shares of the Fund in accordance with the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan, unless the shareholder has elected to have them paid in cash.

Amounts required to be distributed reflect estimates made by the Fund. Distributions paid by the Fund in accordance with RIC requirements are subject to re-characterization for tax purposes.

SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

Securities transactions are recorded on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of specific identification.

Distributions received on CLO equity investments which were previously called for which the cost basis has been reduced to zero are recorded as realized gains.

DEFERRED OFFERING COSTS ON COMMON STOCK

Deferred offering costs consist principally of legal, accounting, filing and underwriting fees incurred in relation to an offering proposed by the Fund. The deferred offering costs will be charged to capital when the offering takes place or as shares are issued. Costs related to shelf offerings are charged to capital as securities registered are issued. Deferred costs are periodically reviewed and expensed if the related registration statement is no longer active or if the offering is unsuccessful.

DEFERRED ISSUANCE COSTS ON MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

Deferred issuance costs on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock consist of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the closing of preferred stock offerings, and are capitalized when incurred. These costs are amortized using the straight line method over the term of the respective preferred stock series. This amortization expense is included in interest expense on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock in the Fund’s financial statements. Upon early termination of preferred stock, the remaining balance of unamortized fees related to such debt is accelerated into interest expense on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock. Deferred issuance costs are presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability.

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs (deferred financing costs) related to a recognized debt liability to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, similar

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION  – (continued)

to the presentation of debt discounts. Additionally, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements (“ASU 2015-15”), which codifies an SEC staff announcement that entities are permitted to defer and present debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as assets and subsequent amortization of the deferred costs over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-03 and 2015-15 were effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Fund adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 did not have an effect on the Fund’s results of operations and financial condition. At March 31, 2017 the adoption of ASU 2015-03 did result in the reclassification of approximately $4.0 million in deferred debt issuance costs, which post-adoption are a direct deduction from the related debt liability.

NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE

The Fund’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC 820-10 at March 31, 2017, were as follows:

Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value

The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Fund’s financial liabilities disclosed, but not carried at fair value as of March 31, 2017 and the level of each financial liability within the fair value hierarchy:

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE  – (continued)

Significant Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Investments

In accordance with ASC 820-10, the following table provides quantitative information about the Fund’s Level 3 fair value measurements as of March 31, 2017. The Fund’s valuation policy, as described above, establishes parameters for the sources and types of valuation analysis, as well as the methodologies and inputs that the Fund uses in determining fair value. If the Board of Directors or OXLC Management determines that additional techniques, sources or inputs are appropriate or necessary in a given situation, such additional work may be undertaken. The weighted average calculations in the table below are based on the fair value within each respective valuation technique and methodology and asset category.

(1)

The Fund generally uses non-binding indicative bid (“NBIB”) prices provided by an independent pricing service or broker on or near the valuation date as the primary basis for the fair value determinations for CLO debt and equity investments, which may be adjusted for pending equity distributions as of the valuation date. These bid prices are non-binding, and may not be determinative of fair value. Each bid price is evaluated by the Board of Directors in conjunction with additional information compiled by OXLC Management, including performance and covenant compliance information as provided by the independent trustee.

(2)

Prices provided by independent pricing services are evaluated in conjunction with actual trades, and in certain cases, the value represented by actual trades may be more representative of fair value as determined by the Board of Directors.

(3)

Represents a single investment fair value position, and therefore the range/weighted average is not applicable.

(4)

The Fund will calculate the fair value of CLO equity side letters based upon the net present value of expected contractual payment streams discounted using estimated market yields for the equity tranche of the respective CLO vehicle. OXLC will also consider those investments in which the record date for an equity distribution payment falls on the last day of the period, and the likelihood that a prospective purchaser would require an adjustment to the transaction price representing substantially all of the pending distribution.

(5)

Weighted averages are calculated based on fair value of investments.

Significant increases or decreases in any of the unobservable inputs in isolation may result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE  – (continued)

A reconciliation of the fair value of investments for the year ended March 31, 2017, utilizing significant unobservable inputs, is as follows:

(1)

Reduction to cost value on OXLC’s CLO equity investments represents the difference between distributions received, or entitled to be received, for the year ended March 31, 2017, of approximately $78.3 million and the effective yield interest income of approximately $55.7 million. A reduction to cost value is not made for warehouse investments (income of approximately $0.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2017).

The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of valuation levels as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the year ended March 31, 2017.

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Effective September 9, 2010, the Fund entered into an agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) with OXLC Management, a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. BDC Partners is the managing member of OXLC Management and serves as the administrator of OXLC.

Effective September 9, 2010, the Fund entered into an agreement (“Administration Agreement”) with BDC Partners to serve as its administrator. Under the Administration Agreement, BDC Partners performs, or oversees the performance of, the Fund’s required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which the Fund is required to maintain and for preparation of the reports to the Fund’s stockholders.

Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund has agreed to pay OXLC Management a fee for advisory and management services consisting of two components — a base management fee (the “Base Fee” or “Investment Advisory Fee”) and an incentive fee.

The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of the Fund’s gross assets. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the base management fee is payable quarterly in

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  – (continued)

arrears. The base management fee is calculated based on the average value of the Fund’s gross assets, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro-rated.

The incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means income from securitization vehicles and investments, interest income from debt investments and any other income (including any other fees, such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that are received from an investment) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to BDC Partners, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes accrued income that OXLC has not yet received in cash, such as the amount of any market discount it may accrete on debt instruments purchased below par value. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized or unrealized capital gains or losses, and the Fund could incur incentive fees in periods when there is a net decrease in net assets from operations. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a hurdle of 1.75% per quarter (7.00% annualized). For such purposes, the Fund’s quarterly rate of return is determined by dividing its pre-incentive net investment income by its reported net assets as of the prior period end. OXLC’s net investment income used to calculate the incentive fee is also included in the amount of its gross assets used to calculate the 2.00% base management fee. The Fund pays OXLC Management an incentive fee with respect to the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

•

No incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle of 1.75%;

•

100% of pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized). The Fund refers to this portion of the pre-incentive fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the investment adviser with 20% of the pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle did not apply if the net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and

•

20% of the amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) is payable to OXLC Management (once the hurdle is reached and the “catch-up” is achieved, 20% of all pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter is allocated to OXLC Management).

There is no offset in subsequent quarters for any quarter in which an incentive fee is not earned. For the year ended March 31, 2017, the Fund recognized incentive fee expense of approximately $7.5 million. At March 31, 2017, the Fund had an incentive fee payable of approximately $2.5 million.

BDC Partners assists the Fund in determining and publishing the Fund’s net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Fund’s tax returns and the printing and dissemination of reports to the Fund’s stockholders, and generally overseeing the payment of the Fund’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Fund by others. Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount based upon the Fund’s allocable portion of BDC Partners’ overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, and the Fund’s allocable portion of the compensation of the Fund’s chief financial officer and any administrative support staff, including accounting personnel. Other expenses that are paid by the Fund include legal, compliance, audit and tax

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  – (continued)

services, market data services, excise taxes, if any, and miscellaneous office expenses. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The costs associated with the functions performed by OXLC’s chief compliance officer are paid indirectly by the Fund pursuant to the terms of an agreement between the Fund and Alaric Compliance Services, LLC.

The independent directors receive an annual fee of $75,000. In addition, the independent directors receive $2,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Board of Directors meeting, $1,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Valuation Committee meeting and $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Audit Committee meeting. The Chairman of the Audit Committee also receives an additional annual fee of $10,000. No compensation is paid to directors who are interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act.

Certain directors, officers and other related parties, including members of OXLC Management, owned, directly or indirectly, an aggregate 2.8% of the common stock of the Fund at March 31, 2017.

NOTE 5. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Fund places its cash in an overnight money market account and, at times, cash and cash equivalents may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit. In addition, the Fund’s portfolio may be concentrated in a limited number of investments, which will subject the Fund to a risk of significant loss if any of these investments defaults on its obligations under any of its debt securities that the Fund holds or if those sectors experience a market downturn.

NOTE 6. DISTRIBUTIONS

For the year ended March 31, 2017, the Fund declared and paid dividends on common stock of $2.40 per share, or $49,601,273. The Fund declared and paid dividends on common stock of $2.40 per share, or $43,289,314, for the year ended March 31, 2016. The tax character of distributions paid for the year ended March 31, 2017 represented ordinary income with no return of capital. The tax character of distributions paid for the year ended March 31, 2016 represented ordinary income with no return of capital. In addition, the Fund’s Board of Directors declared the following distributions on our common stock:

For the year ended March 31, 2017 and the year ended March 31, 2016 the Fund also declared and paid dividends on preferred stock of $9,947,082 and $12,668,482, respectively. The tax character of distributions paid on preferred stock represented ordinary income.

In December 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the Fund is permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 6. DISTRIBUTIONS  – (continued)

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Fund has available $49,584,288 of long-term capital losses, which can be used to offset future capital gains. These losses represent post-RIC modernization losses not subject to expiration. Under the current law, capital losses related to securities realized after October 31 and prior to the Fund’s fiscal year end may be deferred as occurring the first day of the following fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017, the Fund has deferred such losses in the amount of $7,048,829, which is comprised of long-term losses.

As of March 31, 2017, the estimated components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

The tax basis components of accumulated earnings differ from the amounts reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities due to temporary book/tax differences primarily arising from investments in CLO equity investments and permanent book/tax differences attributable to non-deductible excise taxes. For the year ended March 31, 2017, the permanent differences between financial and tax reporting were due to basis adjustments on the sale of CLO equity investments, resulting in a decrease of distributions in excess of investment income, and an increase in accumulated net realized loss on investments of $5,178,533. These amounts will be finalized before filing the federal tax return.

As of March 31, 2017, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for tax purposes was $23,485,430, and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation was $66,028,769. For tax purposes, the cost basis of the portfolio investments at March 31, 2017 was $399,298,798.

NOTE 7. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

The Fund has authorized 10 million shares of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock, at a par value of $0.01 per share, and had 5,636,180 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017. Since 2012 and through July 17, 2015, the Fund completed underwritten public offerings of its 7.50% Series 2023 Term Preferred Shares (the “Series 2023 Shares”) and 8.125% Series 2024 Term Preferred Shares (the “Series 2024 Shares”), collectively the “Term Preferred Shares” or “Term Shares.” The Fund is required to redeem all of the outstanding Term Preferred Shares on their respective redemption dates, at a redemption price equal to $25 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, to the date of the redemption. OXLC cannot effect any amendment, alteration, or repeal of the Fund’s obligation to redeem all of the Term Shares without the prior unanimous vote or consent of the holders of such Term Shares. At any time on or after the optional redemption date, at the Fund’s sole option, the Fund may redeem the Term Shares at a redemption price per share equal to the sum of the $25 liquidation preference per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such Term Shares. The Fund, with the authorization by the Board of Directors, may repurchase any of the Series 2023 Shares and/or Series 2024 Shares from time to time in the open market and effectively extinguish the debt.

On March 21, 2016, the Fund announced a program for the purpose of repurchasing up to $25 million worth of the outstanding shares of the Series 2023 Shares and up to $25 million worth of the outstanding shares of the Series 2024 Shares. Under this repurchase program, the Fund repurchased 609,537 shares of the Series 2023 Shares, at an average price of $25.20 per share, and 2,712 shares of the Series 2024 Shares, at an average price of $25.40 per share, for the year ended March 31, 2017. In connection with the repurchased Series 2023 Shares, the Fund recognized as interest expense a net extinguishment loss of approximately $615,000, consisting of previously unamortized deferred issuance costs of approximately $490,000, in addition to repurchases at a net premium to par of approximately $125,000. In connection with the repurchased

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 7. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK  – (continued)

Series 2024 Shares, the Fund recognized as interest expense a net extinguishment loss of approximately $3,000, consisting of previously unamortized deferred issuance costs of approximately $2,000, in addition to repurchases at a net premium to par of approximately $1,000.

On March 14, 2017, the Fund entered into an equity distribution agreement to sell through an “at-the-market” offering, up to 600,000 shares of the Fund’s Series 2023 Shares and up to 600,000 shares of the Fund’s Series 2024 Shares. The Fund sold a total 600,000 shares of its Series 2023 Shares and 1,300 shares of its Series 2024 Shares pursuant to the “at-the-market” offering during the year ended March 31, 2017. The total amount of net proceeds raised under this “at-the-market” offering was approximately $15.0 million after deducting the sales agent’s commissions and offering expenses.

The Fund’s Term Preferred Share activity for the year ended March 31, 2017, was as follows:

The Fund’s Term Preferred Share balances as of March 31, 2017, were as follows:

(1)

Represents the March 31, 2017 closing market price per share of each respective series of Term Preferred Shares on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

The terms of the Fund’s Term Preferred Share offerings are as set forth in the table below:

The aggregate accrued interest payable on the Fund’s Term Preferred Shares at March 31, 2017 was $0. Deferred issuance costs represent underwriting fees and other direct costs incurred that are related to the Fund’s Term Preferred Shares. As of March 31, 2017, OXLC had a deferred debt issuance cost balance of approximately $4.0 million related to the Term Preferred Share issuances. Aggregate net discount on the Series 2023 Shares at the time of issuance totaled approximately $5.3 million. As of March 31, 2017, OXLC

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 7. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK  – (continued)

had an unamortized discount balance of approximately $3.6 million. These amounts are being amortized and are included in interest expense on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock in the Statement of Operations over the term of the respective shares.

The table below summarizes the components of interest expense, effective interest rates and cash paid on the Term Shares for the year ended March 31, 2017:

(1)

Stated interest is composed of distributions declared and paid of approximately $9.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2017.

(2)

Represents the weighted average effective rate for each respective Series Term Preferred Shares.

NOTE 8. PURCHASES, SALES AND REPAYMENTS OF SECURITIES

Purchases of securities totaled approximately $265.4 million which are comprised of approximately $258.5 million of purchases for the year ended March 31, 2017 and approximately $6.9 million of purchases unsettled as of March 31, 2017. The Fund’s sales and repayments of securities totaled approximately $200.9 million which are comprised of approximately $175.7 million of sales and approximately $25.2 million of repayments, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended March 31, 2017.

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into a variety of undertakings containing a variety of warranties and indemnifications that may expose the Fund to some risk of loss. The risk of future loss arising from such undertakings, while not quantifiable, is expected to be remote.

The Fund is not currently subject to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, the Fund may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of the Fund’s rights under contracts with its portfolio companies. While the outcome of these legal proceedings, if any, cannot be predicted with certainty, the Fund does not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon its financial condition or results of operations.

NOTE 10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these agreements cannot be known, however, the Fund expects any risk of loss to be remote.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 11. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Financial highlights for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

(1)

Represents net investment income per share for the period, based upon average shares outstanding.

(2)

Net realized and unrealized capital gains and losses based upon average shares outstanding include adjustments to reconcile change in net asset value per share.

(3)

Management monitors estimated taxable earnings, including net investment income and realized capital gains, to determine if a tax return of capital may occur for the year. To the extent the Fund’s taxable earnings fall below the total amount of the Fund’s distributions for that fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a tax return of capital to the Fund’s stockholders. The final determination of the nature of our distributions can only be made upon the filing of our tax return.

(4)

Based on actual shares outstanding for the period end.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 11. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS  – (continued)

(5)

Total return based on market value is calculated assuming that shares of the Fund’s common stock were purchased at the market price as of the beginning of the period, and that distribution, capital gains and other distributions were reinvested as provided for in the Fund’s distribution reinvestment plan, excluding any discounts, and that the total number of shares were sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. The computation does not reflect any sales commission investors may incur in purchasing or selling shares of the Fund.

NOTE 12. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The U.S. capital markets have experienced periods of volatility and disruption. Disruptions in the capital markets tend to increase the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. The Fund believes these conditions may reoccur in the future. A prolonged period of market illiquidity may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Adverse economic conditions could also limit the Fund’s access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to the Fund. These events could limit the Fund’s investment purchases, limit the Fund’s ability to grow and negatively impact the Fund’s operating results.

OXLC Management’s investment team also presently manages the portfolios of TICC Capital Corp., a publicly-traded business development company that invests principally in the debt of U.S.-based companies, and TICC CLO 2012-1 LLC, a direct subsidiary of TICC Capital Corp., the assets of which are consolidated into the gross assets of TICC Capital Corp. Additionally, the OXLC Management’s investment team manages the portfolio of Oxford Bridge, LLC, a limited liability company that invests principally in the equity of CLOs. In certain instances, the Fund may co-invest on a concurrent basis with affiliates of its investment adviser, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and our written allocation policies. On October 13, 2016, we filed an exemptive application with the SEC to permit us to co-invest with funds or entities managed by TICC Management or its affiliates in certain negotiated transactions where co-investing would otherwise be prohibited under the 1940 Act. Any such order, if granted by the SEC, will be subject to certain terms and conditions. Furthermore, there is no assurance when, or if, this application for exemptive relief will be granted by the SEC.

Given the structure of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement with OXLC Management, any general increase in interest rates will likely have the effect of making it easier for OXLC Management to meet the quarterly hurdle rate for payment of net investment income incentive fees under the Investment Advisory Agreement without any additional increase in relative performance on the part of the Fund’s investment adviser. In addition, in view of the catch-up provision applicable to income incentive fees under the Investment Advisory Agreement, OXLC Management could potentially receive a significant portion of the increase in the Fund’s investment income attributable to such a general increase in interest rates. If that were to occur, the Fund’s increase in net earnings, if any, would likely be significantly smaller than the relative increase in OXLC Management’s net investment income incentive fee resulting from such a general increase in interest rates.

The Fund’s portfolio consists of equity and junior debt investments in CLO vehicles, which involve a number of significant risks. CLO vehicles are typically highly levered, and therefore the junior debt and equity tranches that the Fund invests in are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. As of March 31, 2017, the CLO vehicles in which the Fund was invested had average leverage of 10.5 times and ranged from approximately 7.1 times to 12.7 times levered. In particular, investors in CLO vehicles indirectly bear risks of the underlying debt investments held by such CLO vehicles.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 12. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES  – (continued)

The Fund generally has the right to receive payments only from the CLO vehicles, and generally does not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO vehicle. While the CLO vehicles the Fund targets generally enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of senior loans without the expenses associated with directly holding the same investments, the Fund generally pays a proportionate share of the CLO vehicles’ administrative and other expenses. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of indices and securities underlying CLO vehicles will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of the CLO vehicles) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. The failure by a CLO vehicle in which we invest to satisfy certain financial covenants, including with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in its payments to us. In the event that a CLO vehicle fails certain tests, holders of debt senior to us may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments we would otherwise be entitled to receive. Separately, OXLC may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting CLO vehicle or any other investment we may make. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect the Fund’s operating results and cash flows.

The interests the Fund has acquired in CLO vehicles are generally thinly traded or have only a limited trading market. CLO vehicles are typically privately offered and sold, even in the secondary market. As a result, investments in CLO vehicles may be characterized as illiquid securities. In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO vehicles carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the fact that the Fund’s investments in CLO tranches will likely be subordinate to other senior classes of note tranches thereof; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the CLO vehicle or unexpected investment results. The Fund’s net asset value may also decline over time if the Fund’s principal recovery with respect to CLO equity investments is less than the price that the Fund paid for those investments.

Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act added a provision to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requiring the seller, sponsor or securitizer of a securitization vehicle to retain no less than five percent of the credit risk in assets it sells into a securitization and prohibiting such securitizer from directly or indirectly hedging or otherwise transferring the retained credit risk. The responsible federal agencies adopted final rules implementing these restrictions on October 22, 2014. The risk retention rules became effective with respect to CLOs two years after publication in the Federal Register. Under the final rules, the asset manager of a CLO is considered the sponsor of a securitization vehicle and is required to retain five percent of the credit risk in the CLO, which may be retained horizontally in the equity tranche of the CLO or vertically as a five percent interest in each tranche of the securities issued by the CLO. Although the final rules contain an exemption from such requirements for the asset manager of a CLO if, among other things, the originator or lead arranger of all of the loans acquired by the CLO retain such risk at the asset level and, at origination of such asset, takes a loan tranche of at least 20% of the aggregate principal balance, it is possible that the originators and lead arrangers of loans in this market will not agree to assume this risk or provide such retention at origination of the asset in a manner that would provide meaningful relief from the risk retention requirements for CLO managers.

The Fund believes that the U.S. risk retention requirements imposed for CLO managers under Section 941 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has created some uncertainty in the market in regard to future CLO issuance. Given that certain CLO managers may require capital provider partners to satisfy this requirement, the Fund believes that this may create additional opportunities (and additional risks) for the Fund in the future.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 12. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES  – (continued)

Further, to the extent income from the Fund’s CLO equity investments (which the Fund expects to decline as those vehicles deleverage after the end of their respective reinvestment periods) declines or if the Fund transitions its portfolio into lower yielding investments, the Fund’s ability to pay future distributions may be harmed.

An increase in LIBOR would materially increase the CLO vehicles’ financing costs. However, since most of the collateral positions within the CLO investments have LIBOR floors below LIBOR currently, there may be corresponding increases in investment income with an increase in LIBOR.

OXLC Management anticipates that the CLO vehicles in which the Fund invests may constitute “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”). If the Fund acquires shares in a PFIC (including equity tranche investments in CLO vehicles that are PFICs), the Fund may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its stockholders. Certain elections may be available to mitigate or eliminate such tax on excess distributions, but such elections (if available) will generally require the Fund to recognize its share of the PFIC’s income for each year regardless of whether the Fund receives any distributions from such PFIC. The Fund must nonetheless distribute such income to maintain its tax treatment as a RIC.

If the Fund holds more than 10% of the shares in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“CFC”) (including equity tranche investments in a CLO vehicle treated as a CFC), the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each year from such foreign corporation in an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the corporation’s income for the tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains). If the Fund is required to include such deemed distributions from a CFC in the Fund’s income, it will be required to distribute such income to maintain its RIC tax treatment regardless of whether or not the CFC makes an actual distribution during such year.

We may be required to include in our income our proportionate share of the income of certain CLO investments to the extent that such CLOs are PFICs for which we have made a qualifying electing fund (“QEF”) election or are CFCs. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other thing, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from certain sources specified in the Code (the “90% Income Test”). Although the Code generally provides that the income inclusions from a QEF or a CFC will be “good income” for purposes of this 90% Income Test to the extent that the QEF or the CFC distribute such income to us in the same taxable year to which the income is included in our income, the Code does not specifically provide whether these income inclusions would be “good income” for this 90% Income Test if we do not receive distributions from the QEF or CFC during such taxable year. The IRS has issued a series of private rulings in which it has concluded that all income inclusions from a QEF or a CFC included in a RIC’s gross income would constitute “good income” for purposes of the 90% Income Test. Such rulings are not binding on the IRS except with respect to the taxpayers to whom such rulings were issued. Accordingly, under current law, we believe that the income inclusions from a CLO that is a QEF or a CFC would be “good income” for purposes of the 90% Income Test. On September 28, 2016, the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department issued proposed regulations that provide that the income inclusions from a QEF or a CFC would not be good income for purposes of the 90% Income Test unless the Fund receives a cash distribution from such entity in the same year attributable to the included income. If such income were not considered “good income” for purposes of the 90% Income Test, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC. If these regulations are finalized, the Fund will carefully monitor our investments in CLOs to avoid disqualification as a RIC.

Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs either (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners) or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 12. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES  – (continued)

intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends, and the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S.-source interest or dividends received after December 31, 2018.

Most CLO vehicles in which OXLC invests will be treated as non-U.S. financial entities for this purpose, and therefore will be required to comply with these reporting requirements to avoid the 30% withholding. If a CLO vehicle in which OXLC invests fails to properly comply with these reporting requirements, it could reduce the amounts available to distribute to equity and junior debt holders in such CLO vehicle, which could materially and adversely affect OXLC’s operating results and cash flows.

If the Fund is required to include amounts in income prior to receiving distributions representing such income, the Fund may have to sell some of its investments at times and/or at prices management would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities. If the Fund is not able to obtain cash from other sources, it may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — U.S. Federal Income Taxes.”

The Fund’s Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares pay dividends at a fixed dividend rate. Prices of fixed income investments vary inversely with changes in market yields. The market yields on securities comparable to the Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares may increase, which would likely result in a decline in the secondary market price of such shares prior to the term redemption date. The Fund may be unable to pay dividends on the Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares under some circumstances. The terms of any future indebtedness OXLC may incur could preclude the payment of dividends in respect of equity securities, including such shares, under certain conditions.

As a registered closed-end investment company, OXLC is required to comply with the asset coverage requirements of the 1940 Act and the Articles Supplementary governing OXLC’s Preferred Stock. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may not issue additional Preferred Stock if immediately after such issuance the Fund will not have an asset coverage of at least 200% (defined as the ratio of the Fund’s gross assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) to its outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness, plus the aggregate involuntary liquidation preference of OXLC’s outstanding Preferred Stock). In addition, the Articles Supplementary governing OXLC’s Term Preferred Shares require that the Fund have an asset coverage of at least 200% as of the end of each fiscal quarter. If the asset coverage is not at least 200% as of such measurement dates, OXLC may not be able to incur additional debt or issue additional shares of Preferred Stock and could be forced to sell a portion of its investments to repurchase or redeem some shares of Preferred Stock when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s operations. Further, OXLC may be restricted from making distributions to holders of the Fund’s common stock if the Fund does not have asset coverage of at least 200%. See “Note 7. Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock.”

Given the ten-year original terms, and potential for early redemption, of the Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares, holders of such shares may face an increased reinvestment risk, which is the risk that the return on an investment purchased with proceeds from the sale or redemption of such shares may be lower than the return previously obtained from the investment in such shares, see “Note 7. Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock”.

The Fund does not intend to have the Term Preferred Shares rated by any rating agency. Unrated securities usually trade at a discount to similar, rated securities. As a result, there is a risk that any such shares may trade at a price that is lower than they might otherwise trade if rated by a rating agency.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 13. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”) . The update is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is a substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Fund adopted the standard beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 did not have a material effect on the Fund’s results of operation and financial condition.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU 2016-15”), which is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The Fund is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2016-15 and does not anticipate an impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU 2016-18”), which requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Fund is assessing the impact of ASU 2016-18 and guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements from adopting this standard, however, upon adoption of the standard, restricted cash will be included as part of beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows.

NOTE 14. ISSUANCES OF COMMON STOCK

The Fund sold a total of 3,929,836 shares of common stock pursuant to an “at-the-market” offering during the year ended March 31, 2017. The total amount of capital raised under these issuances was approximately $44.8 million and net proceeds were approximately $43.8 million after deducting the sales agent’s commissions and offering expenses.

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Fund issued 1.8 million shares of common stock pursuant to an underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $15.65 per share. The total amount of capital raised from this offering was approximately $28.2 million and net proceeds were approximately $27.0 million after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses.

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Fund sold a total of 419,275 shares of common stock pursuant to an “at-the-market” offering during the year ended March 31, 2016. The total amount of capital raised under these issuances was approximately $3.7 million and net proceeds were approximately $3.6 million after deducting the sales agent’s commissions and offering expenses.

For the years ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, the Fund issued 69,900 and 593,816 shares, respectively, of common stock under the distribution reinvestment plan.

 

 

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OXFORD LANE CAPITAL CORP.
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2017

NOTE 15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On May 8, 2017, the Board of Directors declared the required monthly dividends on its Series 2023 and Series 2024 Term Preferred Shares (each, a “Share”), as follows:

In accordance with their terms, each of the Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares will pay a monthly dividend at a fixed rate of 7.50% and 8.125%, respectively, of the $25.00 per share liquidation preference, or $1.875 and $2.03125 per share per year, respectively. This fixed annual dividend rate is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances, but will not in any case be lower than 7.50% and 8.125% per year, respectively, for each of the Series 2023 Shares and Series 2024 Shares.

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance and noted no other events that necessitate adjustments to or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Oxford Lane Capital Corp.:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations, of changes in net assets and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. (the “Fund”) as of March 31, 2017, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities as of March 31, 2017 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, NY
May 18, 2017

 

 

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DISTRIBUTION REINVESTMENT PLAN

We have adopted a distribution reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, our stockholders who have not opted out of our distribution reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distributions.

No action will be required on the part of a registered stockholder to have his cash distribution reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire distribution in cash by notifying Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, by telephone, through the Internet or in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for distributions to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive distributions in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, received by telephone, through the Internet or writing prior to the record date, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant’s account, issue a certificate registered in the participant’s name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share, less any applicable fees.

Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

We expect to use primarily newly-issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. Under such circumstances, the number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such stockholder by an amount equal to ninety-five (95%) percent of the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the valuation date fixed by our Board of Directors for such distribution. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their electronically reported bid and asked prices. We reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

There is no charge to stockholders for receiving their distributions in the form of additional shares of our common stock. Any transaction fees, brokerage charges, plan administrator’s fees or any other charges for handling distributions in stock are paid by us. There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares we have issued directly as a result of distributions payable in stock. If a participant elects by telephonic, Internet or written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $2.50 transaction fee plus brokerage charges from the proceeds.

Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock are subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. The amount of the distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be equal to the fair market value of the stock received. A stockholder’s basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a distribution from us will be equal to the amount treated as a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator as follows: through the Internet at www.computershare/investor, telephone number is 1-800-426-5523 and written correspondence can be mailed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77845.

 

 

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MANAGEMENT

Our Board of Directors oversees our management. The Board of Directors currently consists of five members, three of whom are not “interested persons” of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our Board of Directors elects our officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of each director will include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activity, the quarterly valuation of our assets, and oversight of our financing arrangements. The Board of Directors has also established an Audit Committee and a Valuation Committee, and may establish additional committees in the future.

Our directors and officers and their principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below. Our prospectus includes additional information about our directors and is available without charge, upon request by calling (203) 983-5275, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission website at http://www.sec.gov.

Board of Directors and Executive Officers

Directors

Information regarding the Board of Directors is as follows:

The address for each of our directors is c/o Oxford Lane Capital Corp., 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Biographical Information

Directors

Our directors have been divided into two groups — interested directors and independent directors. An interested director is an “interested person” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

Interested Directors

Messrs. Cohen and Rosenthal are “interested persons” of Oxford Lane Capital as defined in the 1940 Act due to their positions as Chief Executive Officer and President, respectively, of Oxford Lane Capital and Oxford Lane Management, Oxford Lane Capital’s investment adviser, and as the managing member and non-managing member, respectively, of BDC Partners, the administrator for Oxford Lane Capital.

Jonathan H. Cohen has served as Chief Executive Officer of both Oxford Lane Capital Corp. and Oxford Lane Management since 2010. Mr. Cohen has also served since 2003 as Chief Executive Officer of both TICC Capital Corp. (NasdaqGS: TICC), a publicly traded business development company, and TICC Management, LLC, TICC Capital Corp.’s investment adviser, and as the managing member of BDC Partners. Mr. Cohen has also served since 2015 as Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Bridge Management, LLC, the investment manager to Oxford Bridge, LLC, a private investment fund. Mr. Cohen is also a member of the

 

 

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Board of Directors of TICC Capital Corp. Previously, Mr. Cohen managed technology equity research groups at Wit Capital, Merrill Lynch, UBS and Smith Barney. Mr. Cohen is a member of the Board of Trustees of Connecticut College. Mr. Cohen received a B.A. in Economics from Connecticut College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Mr. Cohen’s depth of experience in managerial positions in investment management, securities research and financial services, as well as his intimate knowledge of our business and operations, gives our Board of Directors valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters.

Saul B. Rosenthal has served as President of both Oxford Lane Capital Corp. and Oxford Lane Management since 2010. Mr. Rosenthal has also served as President since 2004 of TICC Capital Corp. (NasdaqGS: TICC), a publicly traded business development company, and since 2015 as President of Oxford Bridge Management, LLC. Mr. Rosenthal was previously an attorney at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP. Mr. Rosenthal serves on the boards of LiftForward, Inc., the National Museum of Mathematics and YPO New York City. Mr. Rosenthal received a B.S., magna cum laude, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, a J.D. from Columbia University Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and a LL.M. (Taxation) from New York University School of Law. Mr. Rosenthal’s depth of experience in managerial positions in investment management, as well as his intimate knowledge of our business and operations, gives the Board of Directors the valuable perspective of a knowledgeable corporate leader.

Independent Directors

The following directors are not “interested persons” of Oxford Lane Capital, as defined in the 1940 Act.

Mark J. Ashenfelter presently serves as a Senior Vice President and the General Counsel of Haebler Capital, a private investment company located in Greenwich, CT. Prior to joining Haebler Capital in 1994, Mr. Ashenfelter was an associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore from 1985 to 1992 and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Ashenfelter received a B.A., cum laude, from Harvard University, a J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School, where he was Managing Editor of the Law Review, and a LL.M. (Taxation) from New York University School of Law. Mr. Ashenfelter’s extensive corporate legal experience, particularly in connection with investment companies, provides our Board of Directors with valuable insight and perspective.

John Reardon is the principal of Reardon Consulting, LLP, which specializes in providing management consulting services to technology companies in the telecom, software, and cyber security industries. Mr. Reardon also serves as the Managing Director of Choctaw Telecom LLC. Previously, Mr. Reardon managed telecommunications companies in the mobile voice, data and engineering services markets as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Mobex Communications, Inc. from 2001 to 2005. From 1997 – 2001, he served as General Counsel and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Mobex Communications, Inc. Mr. Reardon began his career in telecom law at the boutique Washington, DC firm of Keller and Heckman, LLP. Mr. Reardon received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, summa cum laude, from Boston University, and earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School. He is admitted to the New York State Bar and the Washington, DC Bar, and is the past president of the Columbia Law School Alumni Association of Washington, DC. Mr. Reardon’s extensive experience as a senior corporate executive provides our Board of Directors the perspective of a knowledgeable corporate leader.

David S. Shin presently serves as an asset management consultant to Innovatus Capital Partners, the manager of certain assets of Perella Weinberg Partners, a financial services firm. From 2011 to 2016, Mr. Shin was an asset management professional at Perella Weinberg Partners. From 2010 to 2011, Mr. Shin served as a Managing Director at Bentley Associates, an investment banking firm. Prior to joining Bentley Associates, Mr. Shin worked in the Global Real Estate Investment Banking Group at Deutsche Bank Securities from 2005 to 2008, and in the Real Estate & Lodging Group of Citigroup Global Markets from 2004 to 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Shin worked for William Street Advisors, LLC, a boutique financial advisory firm affiliated with Saratoga Management Company, from 2002 to 2004. After receiving his J.D. in 1995, Mr. Shin was a member of the Healthcare Group of Dean Witter Reynolds from 1995 to 1996, and was subsequently a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of Merrill Lynch & Co. from 1996 to 2002. Mr. Shin started his career as a CPA in the Corporate Tax Department of KPMG Peat Marwick’s Financial Institutions Group, where he served from 1990 to 1992, before attending law school. Mr. Shin received a B.S., magna cum laude, from The

 

 

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Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Mr. Shin’s extensive experience in investment banking provides the Board of Directors with valuable insights of an experienced and diligent financial professional, as well as a diverse perspective.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Bruce L. Rubin has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary since August 2015, and as our Treasurer and Controller since our initial public offering in 2011. Mr. Rubin has also served as TICC Capital Corp.’s Controller since 2005, TICC Capital Corp.’s Treasurer since 2009, and TICC Capital Corp.’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Secretary since August 2015. Mr. Rubin also currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Oxford Lane Management, TICC Management, LLC, BDC Partners, and Oxford Bridge Management, LLC, the investment manager of Oxford Bridge, LLC, a private investment fund. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Rubin was the Assistant Treasurer & Director of Financial Planning of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc., the largest physical commodities futures exchange in the world, and has extensive experience with Sarbanes-Oxley, treasury operations and SEC reporting requirements. From 1989 to 1995, Mr. Rubin was a manager in financial operations for the American Stock Exchange, where he was primarily responsible for budgeting matters. Mr. Rubin began his career in commercial banking as an auditor primarily of the commercial lending and municipal bond dealer areas. Mr. Rubin received his BBA in Accounting from Hofstra University where he also obtained his M.B.A. in Finance.

Gerald Cummins has served as our Chief Compliance Officer, as well as the Chief Compliance Officer of Oxford Lane Management, TICC Capital Corp., TICC Management, LLC, since June 2015 pursuant to an agreement between us and Alaric Compliance Services, LLC (“Alaric”), a compliance consulting firm. Mr. Cummins has also served since November 2015 as the Chief Compliance Officer of Oxford Bridge Management, LLC, the investment manager of Oxford Bridge, LLC, a private investment fund. Mr. Cummins has been a director of Alaric since June 2014 and in that capacity he also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer to a private equity firm. Prior to joining Alaric, Mr. Cummins was a consultant for Barclays Capital Inc. from 2012 to 2013, where he participated in numerous compliance projects on pricing and valuation, compliance assessments, and compliance policy and procedure development. Prior to his consulting work at Barclays, Mr. Cummins was from 2010 to 2011 the COO and the CCO for BroadArch Capital and from 2009 to 2011 the CFO and CCO to its predecessor New Castle Funds, a long-short equity asset manager. Prior to that, Mr. Cummins spent 25 years at Bear Stearns Asset Management (BSAM), where he was a Managing Director and held senior compliance, controllers and operations risk positions. Mr. Cummins graduated with a B.A. in Mathematics from Fordham University.

Compensation of Directors

The following table sets forth compensation of our directors for the year ended March 31, 2017:

(1)

For a discussion of the independent directors’ compensation, see below.

(2)

We do not maintain a stock option plan, non-equity incentive plan or pension plan for our directors.

 

 

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The independent directors receive an annual fee of $75,000. In addition, the independent directors receive $2,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Board of Directors meeting, $1,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Valuation Committee meeting and $1,000 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each Audit Committee meeting. The Chairman of the Audit Committee also receives an additional annual fee of $10,000. No compensation is paid to directors who are interested persons of Oxford Lane Capital as defined in the 1940 Act.

Compensation of Chief Executive Officer and Other Executive Officers

We do not have a compensation committee because our executive officers do not receive any direct compensation from Oxford Lane Capital. Mr. Cohen, our Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Rosenthal, our President, through their ownership interest in BDC Partners, the managing member of Oxford Lane Management, are entitled to a portion of any profits earned by Oxford Lane Management, which includes any fees payable to Oxford Lane Management under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, less expenses incurred by Oxford Lane Management in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Messrs. Cohen and Rosenthal do not receive any additional compensation from Oxford Lane Management in connection with the management of our portfolio.

The compensation of Mr. Rubin, our Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary, is paid by our administrator, BDC Partners, subject to reimbursement by us of an allocable portion of such compensation for services rendered by Mr. Rubin to Oxford Lane Capital.

Mr. Cummins, our Chief Compliance Officer, is a director of Alaric, and performs his functions under the terms of an agreement between us and Alaric.

 

 

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BOARD APPROVAL OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

At an in-person meeting of our Board of Directors held on July 27, 2016, our Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement. In reaching a decision to approve the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board of Directors reviewed a significant amount of information and considered and concluded, among other things:

•

The nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by Oxford Lane Management, including the responses in a questionnaire regarding Oxford Lane Management’s investment process and Oxford Lane Management’s policies and guidelines currently in place to monitor and manage the risk and volatility associated with the Company’s portfolio, and the qualifications and abilities of the professional personnel of Oxford Lane Management and the compensation structure for such personnel, and concluded that such services are satisfactory;

•

The investment performance of OXLC and Oxford Lane Management including a comparison to the performance of OXLC’s peer group, and concluded that OXLC’s performance is reasonable in comparison to its peers;

•

Comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other management investment companies with similar investment objectives, and concluded that the total advisory fees paid by OXLC to Oxford Lane Management were reasonable;

•

Our historical and projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to management investment companies with similar investment objectives, and concluded that our operating expenses were reasonable;

•

Any existing and potential sources of indirect income to Oxford Lane Management or BDC Partners from their relationships with OXLC and the profitability of those relationships, and concluded that Oxford Lane Management’s profitability was not excessive with respect to us;

•

The services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and concluded that the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services were satisfactory;

•

The organizational capability and financial condition of Oxford Lane Management and its affiliates, and concluded that the organizational capability and financial condition of Oxford Lane Management were reasonable;

•

The due diligence-related expenses, travel expenses, and expenses associated with investigating and monitoring investments, and concluded that such expenses were reasonable; and

•

The possibility of obtaining similar services from other third party service providers or through an internally managed structure, and concluded that our current externally managed structure with Oxford Lane Management as our investment advisor was satisfactory.

Based on the information reviewed and the discussions detailed above, the Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not “interested persons” as defined in the 1940 Act, concluded that the fees payable to Oxford Lane Management pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement were reasonable, and comparable to the fees paid by other management investment companies with similar investment objectives, in relation to the services to be provided. The Board of Directors did not assign relative weights to the above factors or the other factors considered by it. Individual members of the Board of Directors may have given different weights to different factors.

 

 

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SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SHAREHOLDERS

The Fund held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) on September 20, 2016 and submitted one matter to vote of the shareholders. At the Meeting, shareholders elected two nominees for director, each to serve for a three-year term to expire at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders based on the following votes:

(1)

Mr. Cohen was elected by the holders of our outstanding common stock and preferred stock, voting together as a single class.

(2)

Mr. Ashenfelter was elected by the holders of our preferred stock, voting as a single class.

 

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Portfolio Information

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, within sixty days after the end of the relevant period. Form N-Q filings of the Fund are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. This information is also available free of charge by contacting the Fund by mail at 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830, by telephone at (203) 983-5275 or on its website at http://www.oxfordlanecapital.com.

Proxy Information

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund’s investment adviser uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (203) 983-5275; (ii) on the Fund’s website at http://www.oxfordlanecapital.com. Information about how the Fund’s investment adviser voted proxies with respect to the Fund’s portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended March 31 can be obtained by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Chief Compliance Officer, Oxford Lane Management, LLC, 8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255, Greenwich, CT 06830.

Tax Information

For tax purposes, distributions to shareholders during the year ended March 31, 2017, were approximately $49.6 million.

Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy notice, which is required by federal law, explains privacy policies of Oxford Lane Capital Corp. and its affiliated companies. This notice supersedes any other privacy notice you may have received from Oxford Lane Capital Corp., and its terms apply both to our current stockholders and to former stockholders as well.

We will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, all information we receive about you. With regard to this information, we maintain procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards.

Our goal is to limit the collection and use of information about you. When you purchase shares of our common stock, our transfer agent collects personal information about you, such as your name, address, social security number or tax identification number.

This information is used only so that we can send you annual reports, proxy statements and other information required by law, and to send you information we believe may be of interest to you.

We do not share such information with any non-affiliated third party except as described below:

•

It is our policy that only authorized employees of our investment adviser, Oxford Lane Management, LLC, who need to know your personal information will have access to it.

•

We may disclose stockholder-related information to companies that provide services on our behalf, such as record keeping, processing your trades, and mailing you information. These companies are required to protect your information and use it solely for the purpose for which they received it.

•

If required by law, we may disclose stockholder-related information in accordance with a court order or at the request of government regulators. Only that information required by law, subpoena, or court order will be disclosed.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Independent Directors
Mark J. Ashenfelter, Chairman of the Board of Directors
John Reardon
David S. Shin

Interested Directors⁽¹⁾
Jonathan H. Cohen
Saul B. Rosenthal

OFFICERS
Jonathan H. Cohen, Chief Executive Officer
Saul B. Rosenthal, President
Bruce L. Rubin, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer
Gerald Cummins, Chief Compliance Officer

INVESTMENT ADVISER
Oxford Lane Management, LLC
8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255
Greenwich, CT 06830

(1)

As defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Oxford Lane Capital Corp.

8 Sound Shore Drive, Suite 255 | Greenwich, CT 06830 | oxfordlanecapital.com | (203) 983-5275